In a heart-pounding display of youthful athleticism and competitive spirit, St Aloysius High School, Gorai, emerged victorious in the intense MSSA boys U-12 Division-III inter-school football championship. The grand showdown, which took place amid the iconic backdrop of Azad Maidan, saw St Aloysius defeat CNM High School from Vile Parle in a nail-biting tie-breaker, finalizing their triumph with a 5-3 scoreline after an exhilarating match.
The undisputed hero of the day was Godric Manaji, the talented goalkeeper for St Aloysius, who performed with an unwavering resolve seen only in seasoned athletes. His crucial saves not only stabilized the team during regular play but also provided the competitive edge that saw them through the shootout phase. Manaji’s performance was nothing short of spectacular. His skillful interventions during the 36th and 38th-minute mark held CNM at bay, steering the match to the much-anticipated penalty shootout phase. Once in the tie-breaker, Manaji once again became the linchpin of St Aloysius’ defensive strategy, denying CNM’s Vihaan Shroff a crucial goal and providing the edge his team desperately needed.
The match unfolded with a fast-paced intensity from the very beginning. Vansh Sankhla of CNM High School propelled his team into an early lead by cleverly placing the ball into the top left corner of the net, registering a significant morale boost for the Vile Parle side. However, the dynamic equilibrium of the match shifted just eight minutes later when Saran Gaiba from St Aloysius answered back with an equalizer, skillfully lobbing the ball over CNM’s goalkeeper Parv Mehta, leveling the scoreline at 1-1.
The post-halftime session saw CNM High School exerting significant pressure on St Aloysius, as they orchestrated several strategic plays towards the opposition’s goal. Despite their vigorous attempts, the resilient St Aloysius defense, led predominantly by Manaji, thwarted all efforts to capitalize on scoring opportunities. CNM’s relentless pursuit of goals in both open play and set-pieces was effectively neutralized by a composed and strategically alert Godric Manaji.
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As the clock ticked towards the inevitable conclusion, the fate of the match fell to a penalty shootout. The tension was palpable among players and spectators alike, each shot carrying the weight of anticipation and the promise of victory. It was during these high-stakes moments that Godric Manaji showed exceptional poise and concentration. His pivotal save from the spot-kick by Vihaan Shroff effectively tilted the match in favor of St Aloysius.
On the conversion front, St Aloysius’ shooters made their mark as Jake Kinny, Bariyon Caskar, Saran, and Zaniel Zolar executed their spot-kicks with precision, ensuring their place in the records as the school’s first winners of the MSSA football title. CNM High School managed to see Vansh Sankhla and Pashan Golimar score, though it wasn’t enough to turn the tide back in their favor.
In a parallel contest for third place, Dr Antonio D’Silva of Dadar overshadowed St Francis ICSE, Borivli, in another frenzied match decided by a tie-breaker. After regular play concluded at a competitive 2-2 – Advay Nambudiri and Davin Pereria for St Francis responded effectively by Aarush Samant and Tanmay Shindhe’s strikes for Antonio D’Silva – their club conquered the penalty phase, triumphing 6-4.
The coach of St Aloysius, Sundar BT, heralded the victory with immense pride and enthusiasm. “This maiden title is a monumental achievement for us, showcasing the dedication and talent of our young athletes. It is an inspirational milestone, one that we hope will motivate more students to engage in sports,” he said.
As the jubilation of victory winds down, St Aloysius, along with CNM and Dr Antonio D’Silva, will be advancing to Division-II in the next season, promising more thrilling encounters and opportunities for development and success.
